Etomidate, but not thiopental, decreases serum cortisol concentration in morbidly obese patients. A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The effect of etomidate administration on the adrenal cortex in obese patients is still unclear. The objective of the study was to determine the influence of a single dose of etomidate on cortisol secretion in the morbidly obese.

Methods: 127 healthy patients were enrolled into the study.

Cardiac troponin I after external electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation as a marker of myocardial injury--a preliminary report.

Background: It is uncertain whether external electrical cardioversion (CV) of atrial fibrillation (AF) can cause myocardial injury identifiable by troponin I (cTnI).

Aim: To examine whether external CV of AF can cause cTnI rise as measured with high-sensitivity assay, and to identify factors determining this elevation.

Methods: Patients with non-valvular AF selected for CV were included.

Correlation of B type natriuretic peptides with clinical and echocardiographic parameters in heterogeneous population of patients with symptoms suggestive of heart failure.

Purpose: NT-proBNP and BNP concentrations in CHF correlate with NYHA class and LVEE Little research has been conducted to compare the clinical performance of these two natriuretic peptides in heterogeneous CHF population. Purpose: to evaluate and compare the clinical performance of NT-proBNP and BNP in heterogeneous group of CHF patients on the basis of these peptides' correlation with NYHA class, LVEF and WMI measured by echocardiography.

Material And Methods: Consecutive patients admitted for suspected of CHE Blood samples were drawn for NT-proBNP, BNP, creatinine and echocardiography was performed.

[N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) in exercise induced ischemia in patients with stable coronary artery disease].

Introduction: Preliminary data indicate that B type natriuretic peptides' levels may rise in exercise induced myocardial ischemia in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Such findings hint at a potential broader application of these markers reaching beyond its present use in chronic heart failure and acute coronary syndromes. Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) is a novel diagnostic marker in acute coronary syndromes as its value increases in states of myocardial ischemia and necrosis.

[Troponin I levels after uncomplicated, elective percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with stable coronary heart disease].

Unlabelled: Percutaneous coronary intervention is a proven method of treatment of significant number of patients with coronary artery disease. Sometimes it is accompanied by increases of troponin levels. Frequency and degree of these phenomena are not well known.